Mechanical Engineer Space Instrumentation

cosine Research BV; Sassenheim; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Annual bonus

27 days of annual leave

Company bicycle program

Personal development budget

Initial one-year contract

Job summary

cosine is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and realise precision mechanical assemblies for space instrumentation. You will translate concepts into robust 3D models for manufacture, ensuring flawless assembly in cleanroom environments.

Your work supports systems operating in extreme conditions and delivering trusted data for space exploration. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to move from concept to validated hardware, contribute to optics assembly processes, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5–10 years of relevant high-tech or precision engineering experience.
• Hands-on 3D CAD experience, preferably SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of GD&T and tolerancing best practices.
• Experience in DFMA and opto-mechanical design.
• Affinity with cleanroom environments and precision assembly workflows.
• Familiarity with materials, manufacturing techniques and tight tolerances.
• Familiarity with Abaqus is a plus; Python scripting is a plus.
• Strong written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies optimized for manufacturing.
• Develop mechanical designs for cleanroom environments with precision and contamination control.
• Optimize designs for performance, manufacturability and cost.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams from concept to validated hardware.
• Support assembly and integration of high-precision components and systems.
• Contribute to Silicon Pore Optics assembly process development.
• Perform and support vibration and shock testing.
• Work with coordinate measurement machines for inspection and validation.
• Improve assembly processes and tooling to enhance quality and efficiency.

Skills

3D CAD

GD&T

DFMA

Opto-mechanical design

Cleanroom workflows

Finite element analysis

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor or Master in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Abaqus

Job description

Your (space) mission

As the Mechanical Engineer at cosine you design and realise precision mechanical assemblies that enable cutting‑edge space instrumentation. You translate concepts into robust 3D models and manufacturable designs, ensuring flawless assembly in cleanroom environments. Your work directly contributes to systems that operate in extreme conditions and deliver trusted data for space exploration.

Tasks & responsibilities

In this role you will:

• Create detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies optimised for manufacturing and assembly
• Develop mechanical designs for cleanroom environments, ensuring precision, repeatability, and contamination control
• Optimize designs for performance, manufacturability, and cost efficiency
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to move from concept to validated hardware
• Support assembly and integration of high-precision components and systems
• Contribute to Silicon Pore Optics assembly process development
• Perform and support vibration and shock testing
• Work with coordinate measurement machines for inspection and validation
• Improve assembly processes and tooling to increase quality and efficiency

Your profile

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in a high-tech or precision engineering environment
• Hands-on experience with 3D CAD tools, preferably SolidWorks or similar
• Knowledge of GD&T principles and tolerancing best practices
• Experience applying design for manufacturing and assembly principles
• Experience in opto-mechanical system design
• Affinity with cleanroom environments and precision assembly workflows
• Knowledge of materials, manufacturing techniques, and high-precision tolerances
• Experience with finite element analysis, preferably Abaqus, is a plus
• Experience with Python or similar scripting tools is a plus
• Proactive, detail-oriented mindset with a strong drive to solve practical engineering challenges
• Strong command of the English language, both written and spoken

What we offer

At cosine, we highly value our employees, and we will support your professional and personal development. We also provide our employees with:

• A unique, international working environment at the intersection of physics and engineering
• The opportunity to deliver end-to-end solutions in autonomous project teams, in close collaboration with customers
• 27 days of annual leave (based on full-time employment)
• Annual bonus based on personal and company performance
• Hybrid working options, including the possibility to work partially from home
• Company bicycle- and fitness plan
• A personal development budget
• Initial one-year contract, with the aim of long-term collaboration

About cosine

Founded in 1998, cosine is a world-leading developer of space instrumentation and measurement systems, making the invisible measurable and the complex actionable.
Its expertise spans High-Energy Optics, including optics developed for ESA's future NewAthena X-ray observatory, as well as remote sensing solutions for Earth Observation and planetary science.
With over 25 years of experience and advanced cleanroom and assembly facilities across the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, cosine brings deep scientific and engineering expertise to some of the most demanding missions in space and on Earth.
What makes cosine a unique place to work is that your work goes end-to-end: from concept and design to building, testing, and delivering hardware that actually flies in space. You work in small, highly skilled teams where you have real ownership and impact, alongside experts in optics, physics, nanofabrication, and systems engineering.
cosine is committed to providing an inclusive and equal opportunities work environment where everyone can thrive. As a proud member of the Women in Aerospace community, we recognise the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in the workplace.